Lost Your Deposit? You Probably Deserved It

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Cartoon-style digital illustration of a confused student holding empty pockets while looking at a rental agreement, symbolizing the loss of a rental deposit.

When your deposit vanishes faster than your Erasmus savings—maybe it’s time for some real talk about tenant responsibility

A Grown-Up Talk About Your Responsibilities as a Tenant (Yes, You)

Let’s start with the truth no one wants to hear:

If you lost your deposit… it probably wasn’t just your landlord being a jerk.

Yeah, yeah—we’ve all heard the horror stories. Evil landlords. Unfair deductions. Photoshopped “before” pics.

But here’s the uncomfortable reality:

Most of the time, people lose their deposit because they acted like toddlers in a flat meant for grown-ups.

So if you’re an Erasmus student, digital nomad, or twenty-something who treats rentals like hotel rooms—sit down. We need to talk.

This is your crash course in how NOT to screw up your rental—and how to actually leave with your deposit (and dignity) intact.

1. That Moldy Shower? That’s on You, Champ.

You know that brown stuff creeping up your shower wall?

That’s not ancient Greek decay—it’s mold.

And guess what? It didn’t get there by itself.

You let moisture sit for weeks. You never opened the window. You thought scrubbing was “someone else’s problem.”

By the time you move out, the landlord has to pay someone to go full HAZMAT in your bathroom—and that comes out of your sacred deposit.

How to fix it:
Wipe things down once a week. Leave the bathroom window open. Use a squeegee.It takes 2 minutes. Your nose (and your wallet) will thank you.

2. “I Only Smoked Out the Window!”

Sure you did.

Except the place still smells like a smoky jazz club in 1994.

Curtains stink. Walls turned beige.

And your flatmate who didn’t smoke? She’s ready to testify in court.

Most leases say no smoking inside. Period.

And spraying Febreze before checkout doesn’t undo six months of poor decisions.

How to fix it:
If you must smoke, do it on the balcony with the door shut. Or better yet—don’t. Your lungs and your deposit will both breathe easier.

3. “Normal Wear and Tear” ≠ Your Red Wine Footprint on the Ceiling

Spilled a little wine? Happens.

Held a house party that looked like a TikTok remake of The Hangover?

That’s not “wear and tear”—that’s you broke stuff.

Landlords aren’t your parents. They’re not here to smile and say “It’s fine, sweetie” while repainting three walls and replacing a door.

How to fix it:
Throw your parties, live your life—but know what’s fixable and what’s your responsibility. Accidentally broke something? Replace it. Don’t just “hope they don’t notice.” They always notice.

4. You Didn’t Read the Damn Contract

Yes, it was long. Yes, it had weird Greek phrases and a clause about goats (probably).

But somewhere in there, it told you how to avoid losing your deposit.

Like:

  • “No holes in walls”

  • “Return keys or pay €50 per lost set”

  • “Flat must be returned clean and in good condition.”

You signed it.

But did you actually read it? Or did you just scroll to the signature line like it was TikTok?

How to fix it:
Next time, read the damn thing!

5. Cleaning = More Than Moving Your Stuff Out

You took your suitcase, your plants, and that Ikea shelves that never really worked.

But you left behind:

  • a fridge with moldy feta

  • six hairballs in the shower

  • and a coffee cup that’s now a mushroom farm

Congrats.

You just gave your landlord an excuse to call a cleaning service—and send you the bill.

How to fix it:
Before you move out:

  • Wipe surfaces

  • Empty and defrost the fridge

  • Sweep and mop

  • Take the trash out

Bonus: Take pics after you clean. Receipts, baby.

6. You “Forgot” to Report Damage Early

The sink started leaking in November. You noticed the AC stopped working in March. The window wouldn’t close in April.

But you told the landlord… the day you moved out?

Nice try.

That’s like crashing a rental car, not telling anyone, then acting shocked when they charge your card.

How to fix it:
If something breaks, report it immediately. It’s a win-win:

  • They fix it = better living conditions for you

  • You don’t get blamed for it = money stays in your pocket

7. You Ghosted at Checkout

You left Athens early.

Or you just… vanished. No walkthrough. No key handover. No goodbye.

Then two weeks later, you’re messaging the landlord like:

“Hey, where’s my deposit bro?”

Bro, you disappeared. Of course, they think you left the place in ruins.

And now they’re using your money to clean, repaint, and spiritually cleanse the apartment.

How to fix it:
Set a move-out date.

Schedule a walkthrough with the landlord. Return the keys in person.

If you’re gone already?

Leave the place pristine, take timestamped photos, and message clearly where you left the keys.

Final Lesson: Adulting Is Not That Hard

You want to be treated like an adult tenant? Act like one.

Being a good tenant isn’t about being a neat freak or never making noise.

It’s about respecting the space, the agreement, and the next person who’ll live there.

And no—your landlord isn’t perfect.

But if you leave a disaster behind, don’t act surprised when they keep the cash.

Want to Avoid All That Drama?

That’s where RoomsAthens comes in. We don’t just hand you a key and vanish.

We:

  • Tell you the rules up front

  • Give you fair, student-friendly spaces

  • Walk you through move-in AND move-out like humans

So when it’s time to leave, you don’t get hit with a €400 surprise deduction for “mysterious gunk behind the fridge.”

Ready to rent like a grown-up and live like a legend?

Check our Erasmus-friendly flats here 👉 www.roomsathens.com